Childminder in Suffolk

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 250816 Inspection date 28/01/2009 Inspector Deborah Kerry

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1989 and lives with her family in Haughley New Street, a village near Stowmarket. The whole ground floor is used for childminding activities. There is a secure, enclosed garden with a range of large outside play equipment for physical play. The childminder home is accessed via a low step.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children under eight may attend at any one time and she is currently minding nine children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. This provider is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The rural area has some local walks with play areas for children. The family have a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and has occasional contact with other local childminders.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a generally safe, caring and stimulating environment for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder knows minded children well and provides resources and activities that she knows they enjoy and supports their development. There are good systems in place to ensure daily communication with parents on children's welfare. The childminder is beginning to look at ways to evaluate her practice and is fully aware of areas that could be improved.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the use of observation and assessment to identify children's next steps in their learning  further develop partnerships with other providers delivering the EYFS to ensure children's learning and development is fully supported.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 28/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has in place all required documentation to support children's health and welfare effectively, along with the necessary written parental permission. The childminder obtains essential information from parents to enable her to care for minded children responsibly and ensures that their wishes are fully respected. The childminder has developed secure, trusting relationships with minded children which ensures that they are relaxed and settled when in her care. She supports their play and imagination well.

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provision

The childminder ensures that her home is secure and that there are no risks accessible to minded children inside or outside the home. She ensures that children are kept safe on outings and that any risks are minimised. However, there is no record of the risks that she has assessed. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to promote children's safety and welfare. She has attended training on safeguarding children and has documentation and local contact numbers in place with the steps to follow should she have any concerns regarding a child's welfare.

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provision

The childminder has attended training on the EYFS and is in the process of implementing the required changes. The childminder has been working as a childminder for 30 years so has developed an excellent understanding of child development and is fully supportive of all children's health, care and learning needs. She is keen to seek further advice and support to enable her to support children's learning and development appropriately. The childminder has identified areas of her practice for improvement that would benefit children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's health well as they are provided with range of meals which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. She encourages children to eat healthy as she provides apple and a drink for snack. Children have access to large play equipment in the garden where they can climb and ride bikes, which helps to promote their physical development well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a wide range of activities and resources to promote their learning and development well. Each child has their own folder of photographs of them undertaking activities both inside and outside the home. The childminder uses these photographs to help her to undertake sensitive observations. She is beginning to identify the next steps in children's learning to help them progress in their learning and development although as yet this not fully effective. Children's creativity is promoted well as they enjoy creating colourful pictures with paint pens. The childminder purchases resources to specifically support children's individual interests as they play with a range of vehicles and characters from 'Bob the builder; she uses books to learn the different names which helps to develop children's language skills and knowledge. Children choose books they enjoy which the childminder reads to them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are taken on regular outings in the local community to develop their understanding on the environment and the wider world. She has some resources in place which also helps to promote children's understanding on other cultures and beliefs. The childminder welcomes all children and ensures that she works closely with all parents to ensure that the individual health and dietary needs of all children are effectively met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed good relationships with parents and ensures that they are given daily verbal feedback on children's care and welfare needs. The childminder has in place many letters and cards from parents and children, praising the service, care and support she provides for their development. She has developed good relationships with other settings delivering the EYFS that the children attend and regularly exchanges information on their care and welfare needs. However, the exchange of information on the children's learning and development is not fully developed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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